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Portion of Major Gilmore Hays letter to Governor Isaac Ingalls Stevens, giving an account of the Battle of Connell's Prairie, March 10, 1856

Sir at about eight oclock this morning Capt. White with his Company were ordered to the White river to build a block house and ferry, supported by Capt. Swindle [sic] and ten privates. He had not proceeded more than a half mile when he was attacked by a large Indian force, supposed to be about 150 men and a large number of Squaws. I immediately forwarded Capt. Hennis [sic] to his support with twenty men. Capt. H. moved with great rapidity, a tremendous volley of guns announcing his arrival. I became satisfyed [sic] that additional force was necessary and dispatched Lieut. Martin of Company B with 15 additional recruits. The Indians by this time were seen extending their flanks to the left with great rapidity. I then forwarded

Gilmore Hays (1810-1880) led a wagon train west from Missouri to Oregon in 1852, and moved north to settle in what is now the Olympia area in 1853. During the Indian Wars of 1855-1856, Hays served as an officer in the Washington Volunteers and, after being elected to the rank of Major, led much of the 2nd Regiment of the Washington Volunteers in a march to the Muckleshoot Prairie that ended in the Battle of Connell's Prairie.

Sir at about eight oclock this morning Capt. White with his Company were ordered to the White river to build a block house and ferry, supported by Capt. Swindle [sic] and ten privates. He had not proceeded more than a half mile when he was attacked by a large Indian force, supposed to be about 150 men and a large number of Squaws. I immediately forwarded Capt. Hennis [sic] to his support with twenty men. Capt. H. moved with great rapidity, a tremendous volley of guns announcing his arrival. I became satisfyed [sic] that additional force was necessary and dispatched Lieut. Martin of Company B with 15 additional recruits. The Indians by this time were seen extending their flanks to the left with great rapidity. I then forwarded